After a watchdog agency devoted to tracking bird impacts on Chicago buildings alerted Apple to a possible problem, the new North Michigan Ave. flagship store will dim the lights nightly until the fall migration season ends.

Apple was alerted to the discovery of dead birds around the store by Chicago Bird Collision Monitors volunteers, according to the Chicago Tribune. The group claims that at night, birds become disoriented by lighting, and crash into the large glass panes that make up the store's exterior walls.

Apple spokesman Nick Leahy confirmed the communication with the group, and did acknowedge that there had been strikes. However, Leahy noted that there wasn't a "larger number" than expected.

"At least until we can get through the migratory season," said Leahy. "We will get the lights down as much as can overnight."

Chicago has a "Lights Out" initiative for high-rise buildings. The Apple store is two stories tall, and there are much larger buildings surrounding the store.

Chicago Bird Collision Monitors is an all-volunteer conservation project dedicated to the protection of migratory birds through rescue, advocacy and outreach. The project collaborates with building management, architects, planners and the public to prevent bird collisions.

In a brief interview with NBC affiliate WMAQ, Cook pointed out that Apple opened its first flagship store in Chicago some 14 years ago. The new location, which stands in the shadow of Chicago's iconic Tribune Tower, is a place where people can connect, he said.

"Some stores are for selling -- actually almost all stores are for selling," Cook said. "It's actually a small part of what we do in our store. Our stores are about service, supporting customers, being a place where customers can discover and explore our products, and education. And connecting. A place where people can connect."

Comments

To any ornithologist: how do dimming of lights reduce the risk that migratory birds will strike the side of buildings? It seems counterintuitive. The reason buildings and other tall structures are lit at night (either entirely or with those flashing red marker lights) is so aircraft won't hit them.

To any ornithologist: how do dimming of lights reduce the risk that migratory birds will strike the side of buildings? It seems counterintuitive. The reason buildings and other tall structures are lit at night (either entirely or with those flashing red marker lights) is so aircraft won't hit them.

Not an ornithologist so maybe not qualified to answer your question but intriguing enough. Apparently:

"The reasons are not entirely understood, but nocturnal migrants often navigate by the stars and illuminated windows and other night lights often divert them from their original flight paths, especially in low-ceiling or foggy conditions."

Not an ornithologist either, but I think Apple should be credited to try to do the right thing, even if it makes any different or not. First of all, I assume none of those migratory birds are flying at that low of an altitude the Apple Store is at compared to the surrounding Chicago skyline. From what I recall, I think that stupid a$$ Trump Tower right down the corner is probably a much bigger problem for those migratory birds consider how anti-environment he is. Please leave Apple out.

Not an ornithologist either, but I think Apple should be credited to try to do the right thing, even if it makes any different or not. First of all, I assume none of those migratory birds are flying at that low of an altitude the Apple Store is at compared to the surrounding Chicago skyline. From what I recall, I think that stupid a$$ Trump Tower right down the corner is probably a much bigger problem for those migratory birds consider how anti-environment he is. Please leave Apple out.

Apple being credited for doing something good?

BWAHAHAHA!!

People are just waiting for an iPhone X to have a problem. That will make front page news.

Not an ornithologist either, but I think Apple should be credited to try to do the right thing, even if it makes any different or not. First of all, I assume none of those migratory birds are flying at that low of an altitude the Apple Store is at compared to the surrounding Chicago skyline. From what I recall, I think that stupid a$$ Trump Tower right down the corner is probably a much bigger problem for those migratory birds consider how anti-environment he is. Please leave Apple out.

Apple being credited for doing something good?

BWAHAHAHA!!

People are just waiting for an iPhone X to have a problem. That will make front page news.

You can guarandamntee that someone will try to develop FaceIDgate...just wait and watch it happen. Every single iPhone release someone tries to come up with a major issue and then the "me too" crowd chimes in and makes a bigger deal out something than it really is.

So, you don't think Apple released this (or had this released to the press) to create more hype for the new store????

If you don't, lemme guess, you think birds have not been effected by Chicagos skyscrapers and street lights for over 100 years yet are somehow suddenly impacted by that new little two story one by the river???

So, you don't think Apple released this (or had this released to the press) to create more hype for the new store????

If you don't, lemme guess, you think birds have not been effected by Chicagos skyscrapers and street lights for over 100 years yet are somehow suddenly impacted by that new little two story one by the river???

Unicorns and Rainbows for ever! I guess......

The group made a press release about it on Friday. Apple commented on it on Saturday.

Regarding "unicorns and rainbows," did you even read the article? I'm guessing not.

FTA: "Chicago has a "Lights Out" initiative for high-rise buildings. The Apple store is two stories tall, and there are much larger buildings surrounding the store."

macxpress said:You can guarandamntee that someone will try to develop FaceIDgate...just wait and watch it happen. Every single iPhone release someone tries to come up with a major issue and then the "me too" crowd chimes in and makes a bigger deal out something than it really is.

What bugs me even more than trolls gunning for Apple is that some same thing will happen to other manufacturers and it won't make a ripple in the see of junk media. No outrage, no righteous indignation, and no torches and pitchforks.

Hi, I know some of the people in Chicago who count and tracks birds, Apple had nothing to do with this. The store is right on the river, a river birds use during migration. Apple then put a glass building on the river's edge and put green trees inside the building! There are few trees on that block so when the birds see the trees and not the glass... THUMP! After about 2 days of collecting birds they realized the Apple Store was a problem. These are migrating birds so no pigeons...mainly sparrows, finches and other smaller birds that tend to stay low to the ground to avoid hawks. From what I understand they even found a dead owl that hit the glass.